Slideshow presentation of the Beccles u3a first ten years together
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the foundation of Beccles u3a in 2014, it was decided to hold an extra special event at the Hive Life Church, where we could provide live entertainment, while at the same time display some of the special interest groups available to members.
Our 10th Anniversary celebrations were a great success, thanks to the 2024 Committee, many volunteers and your participation.
Members at the morning session came out on a crisp, cold morning with beautiful winter sunshine and enjoyed our programme headlined by Jane Hogger and stories from the Paris nightclub, Lido. In the afternoon, members braved the first snowfall of 2024 to reminisce about our first ten years with the founding committee members, some special interest groups and The Lowestoft Longshore Men.
Here's the winner of the afternoon anniversary raffle cake, Julia Deary with founding committee members Peter and Susan Shannon, and Pippa Holliday, current Chair of Beccles u3a.
See the article in The Beccles and Bungay Journal published on Friday 29th November: https://www.becclesandbungayjournal.co.uk/news/24757790.beccles-u3a-marks-10-years-learning-socialising/
A ‘Must Not Be Missed’ event for Beccles u3a members!
Put the date in your Diary, and keep the day free
Ten years ago, on Wednesday 19th November 2014, the first monthly meeting of Beccles u3a was held in the Public Hall, where all seats were taken.
Membership at that time was 220 and there were 17 Special Interest Groups, many of which are still going strong today.
At the last count in October this year (2024), there were over 750 members and 60 Special Interest Groups, which holds testimony to the enormous success of the u3a.
To celebrate the anniversary, it was decided to hold an extra special event at the Hive Life Church, where we could provide live entertainment, while at the same time display some of the special interest groups available to members.
The event was be divided into two separate sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, with varied entertainment.
The programme of events were:
The Morning Session
10:00 to 12:30
| 10:00 -:- Doors open 10:00 |
| 10:20 -:- Arrival and entry of the invited VIPs |
| 10:30 -:- Welcome address by the Mayor of Beccles |
| 10:40 -:- Susan & Peter Shannon "The Founding of Beccles u3a" |
| 10:50 -:- A message From the Beccles u3a Chair |
| 11:00 -:- Jane Hogger "LIDO, The Most Famous Nightclub in the World" |
| 11.45 -:- Time to visit the group displays, or talk to Jane and buy her books. |
| 12:00 -:- Scottish Country Dancing Performance |
| 12:20 -:- Closing message from the Chair and Announcement of Raffle Winner |
The Afternoon Session
13:00 to 15:30
| 13:00 -:- Doors open 13:00 |
| 13:25 -:- Welcome to the Hive and Fire Safety |
| 13:30 -:- Susan & Peter Shannon "The Founding of Beccles u3a" |
| 13:40 -:- A message From the Beccles u3a Chair |
| 13:45 -:- Creative Writing Readings |
| 14:00 -:- Singing for Fun Performance |
| 14.15 -:- Time to visit the group displays. |
| 14:30 -:- Lowestoft Longshore Men "Singing Sea Shanties and Song of the Sea" |
| 15:20 -:- Closing message from the Chair and Announcement of Raffle Winner |
Throughout the day the Special Interest Groups static displays were situated in the various side rooms and main entrance.
